Alumni Updates

Libby Maynard

Art, 1971 & 1982

Co-founded The Ink People, a community arts organization, with Brenda Tuxford (MA in Art 1980, deceased) in 1979. I have continued to be an active artist. The Ink People has facilitated over 200 community arts projects and currently oversees more than 60. In 2011, I received the Selina Roberts Ottum Award from Americans for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts for excellence in community arts leadership. In 2005, I received the Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award from the California Association of Nonprofits, as examples of many other awards.

Kim T. Griswel

English, 1995

Recently moved from my position as senior editor for Highlights to the position of Developmental Editor at Portable Press in Ashland, Oregon, known for the amazing Uncle John's Bathroom Readers. I'll be developing books in the For Kids Only series.

Morgan Eaton

Geography, 1979

Living it up it in the dry side of Washington state. Looking forward to retirement soon!

Judy Chance Hope

Art, 1971

Having worked as a ceramist and drafter (both mechanical and architectural) while painting when I could, I shifted my focus to painting 15 years ago. Last year I received a gold medal award for a painting of redwoods in Jedediah Smith Park from the Redwood Forest Foundation. I work in acrylic and oil and have work in collections all over the country and Europe.

My husband, also an HSU grad, and have one daughter who is an artist in NY. We have a small farm in rural Menocino county where we grow organic veggies, flowers and chickens. We have a wonderful pug to guard us.

Joshua Brookshire

Geography, 04

Is working for bandelier National Monument as a lead helitack crewmember.

Rashad Korah Thomas

Politics, 2006

I am the project manager (country director) for Uganda Village Project. A non-profit orgainzation decited to improving the quality of life for citizens in the villages that make up the Iganga District. We have programs in well construction, nets, fistula repair, among others.

Elaine Hogan

Politics, 2007

After serving as a Health Volunteer for the Peace Corps in Honduras, I am back in Arcata. I work for Northcoast Children's Services as a Bilingual Family Service Specialist serving high-needs families with children enrolled in Head Start.

Sandra Lee Mathews

Journalism, 1990

My Journalism Degree served me well in business. I worked in telecommunications for 20 years after graduation. I was a re-entry student graduating in 1990 with the tools that enabled me to succeed. The writing and presentation skills,learned in the journalism dept. along with speaking skills, gave me the impetus to compete and win jobs for my company. I am currently retired and now volunteer in the Community Relations Department at Mercy Medical Center Redding. Here I am contributing to the hospital newsletter and serving in public events hosted by the hospital.

Jessica Hoffschildt

Art, 2003

currently working at Kinoshita Circus in Japan

Ron Melin

GeographyHistory, 1971

Retired from teaching in LAUSD. Currently working at Madrona Marsh and Preserve in Torrance, Ca. doing restoration.